Indian Antiquary Vol 02

SR No.: 032494
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 428
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

Page 85

MARCH, 1873.]
bázáre, each of which is 50 statute cubits broad, regularly swept, and sprinkled with water. In most of the houses tame pigs are kept, but in the butchers' shops sheep and hogs hang side by side. There are many bázárs and thoroughfares, the latter being covered by extremely handsome pavilions with Khatay-Muqranus. Along the ramparts of the town there is a covered tower at every twenty steps. The four gates in the four walls of the town face each other, and although the road from one to the other through the town is long, it appeared to be short én account of the extreme straightness of the street; over each gate a story is built with a pavilion.
EMBASSY TO CHINA.
In this town there were numerous idol-houses, each of them occupying an area of nearly ten jarib. They were all built of burnt bricks, and provided with very fine and clean carpets on the floors. At the doors of the idol-houses beautiful boys were standing proffering invitations of amusement and
entrance.
From this place to Khán Bálygh [Peking] which is the capital of the Emperor of Khatá, there were ninety-nine Yám, each of which was in good condition. Every Yám contained a town and a Qusbah [district]. Between every two Yám there were several Qara w, and Qaraw means a building sixty cubits high, always guarded by two men and so placed that the next Qaraw is visible from it, so that in cases of emergency, e. g., the appearance of an enemy's army, they may immediately light a bonfire; and thus information from a distance, which requires a three months' journey, is conveyed to Khán-Bálygh in 24 hours.
In connection with the arrangement just described, the Kydy-Qú may be mentioned, who carry letters and relieve each other. The Kydy-Qú are horse-couriers established at various distances; their orders are that, whenever they receive any written despatches, they must immediately carry them to the next Kydy-Qú, so as to bring them to the notice of the Emperor without delay. The distance from one Kydy-Qú to the other is ten Qarah, sixteen of which make one statute farsang [a league of about 18,000 feet]. The Qaraw is so garrisoned that ten men take the watch by turns [of two]; whilst the Kydy-Qú men are compelled to dwell constantly at their station, where they possess houses and cultivate fields.
The distance from Bykjú to Qamjú, which is another district, and larger than By kjú, amounted to nine Yám, and there Ankjy, who is the highest Wájy of those regions, was the governor. Each Yám contains four hundred and fifty horses and carts, with boys to take care of the horses; these boys are so numerous that they take the waggon ropes upon their shoulders and pull them. To each cart twelve persons are appointed, and no matter how great the rain or the cold may be, they do not slack
77
en their pace in drawing these vehicles; all these boys are of pleasant conversation and of very fair complexion; the horses kept in readiness for envoys are saddled and bridled; they have also whips. In every Yám, sheep, ducks, fowls, rice, honey, flour, and all kinds of vegetables were kept ready. In the towns banquets were prepared for the ambassadors in the Dúsúns, by which name they call their reception-balls. In every Dúsún in which a banquet was prepared, a daïs was placed in front of the royal buffet, and curtains suspended; then a man used to stand by the side of the daïs and spread out a very clean and nice felt cloth beneath it, on the upper portion whereof the ambassadors took their station, all the other people standing behind them in lines, as is customary with Musalmáns when they hold prayers. Then the individual posted at the left uttered an invitation thrice in the Khatáy language, when all the people sat down at the table and began to eat. On the day Ankjy made the banquet for the ambassadors it was the 12th of Ramazan (Sept. 20th).
At Qamjú there was an idol-house 500 cubits long and as many broad, containing an idol 50 cubits high; the length of its foot alone was 5, and its circumference 21 cubits; on the head and back of this idol others were placed, and the temple was adorned with pictures and figures that moved, so that the beholder imagined they were alive. Around that idol-house there were buildings like the apartments of a caravansera; all of them, however, contained gold-embroidered curtains, gilded chairs, sofas, chandeliers, and pitchers, to be used in banquets.
In this city was also another building which Moslems call " a sky-wheel." It is an octagonal kiosk which consists of 15 stories, each of which contains verandas with a Khatay-Mugranus, and small as well as large chambers; around the verandas there are all kinds of pictures; among these there is one representing a prince sitting on his throne, surrounded on the left and right by attendants, slaves, and girls. Beneath this kiösk there were some statues which supported on their back this structure, which is 20 cubits in circumference and 12 high, the whole being made of wood, but so gilded as to appear a mass of solid gold. From a subterranean apartment, an iron axis, standing in a socket of iron, rises and passes through the kiösk, in the top of which its upper extremity is fixed, in such a manner that at the least touch the whole of that large kiösk turns around this axis.
In this city all the presents brought by the ambassadors for the emperor were taken away from them, except a lion, which Pehlván Seulláh, the lion-keeper, was allowed himself to take to the court of the emperor.
The nearer the ambassadors approached Khán - Bálygh the more careful did the governors and Daroghahs of the various Yám become in their attentions and hospitalities; they arrived every day in
Domes.